Study Reveals Factors Influencing Adolescent Substance Use Initiation

In a recent study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers have revealed the factors that make adolescents start using substances. This study was led by Dr. ReJoce Green and her team from the Medical University of South Carolina. They looked at various aspects of young people’s lives to understand factors that can predict substance use initiation.  

In this study, researchers used hormonal, sociodemographic, neuroimaging and neurocognitive data of 6,800 individuals from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. These individuals were aged between 9 and 10. Researchers tracked these participants for three years and collected information. Then they used a statistical method which was designed to deal with complex data to analyze the numbers.  

When researchers observed the collected data, they found that almost 14.4% of the participants started using substances by the age of 12. The most common substances were alcohol, cannabis and nicotine. The sociodemographic factors, out of all the factors researchers studied, accurately predicted if a participant would start using substances. For Instance, they found that religion played an important role as Mormon youth were less likely to use substances than youth of other religions. But Jewish youth were more likely to use substances than any other religion.  

Researchers also noticed that aspects of school life mattered in substance use initiation. Individuals who were suspended before were more likely to start using substances. Additionally, certain factors like the availability of substances, peer influence and tendency towards seeking new experiences also played a role in substance use initiation. 

The results of this study have revealed some factors that can predict substance use initiation in youth. This research will help save lives by using substances at a young age . Healthcare professionals should make some effective strategies by considering these risk factors to stop substance use to help youth work better.  

Reference Link: 

ReJoyce Green et al, Predictors of Substance Use Initiation by Early Adolescence, American Journal of Psychiatry (2024).  

DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230882